Keyence VHX Microscope Setup
A great system for those in the forensic community looking to upgrade their stereo microscopes
Portable & Inexpensive Micrscope Systems For Microstamping Analysis
Today we completed testing of the Keyence VHX Digital Microscope (trade marked) system for careful analysis of microstamping marks. Of most interest is the quality and depth of focus of these portable microscope systems - with a range of 0.1X to 5000X range, the VHX system covers the range of metallurgical microscopy.
RUGER MARK III - MicroStamping Test Vehicle
This model is brand new, out of the box. We will be testing to 5000 rounds of various makes of .22 cal LR
UC Davis Ruger Mark I - Rim Fire Test Pistol
Failure to Optimize = Failure of Transfer
Image Enhancing Software Extracts Lightly Stamped & Multi-Hit Microstamping code
Microstamping Team Continues To Identify Off The Shelf Methods For Supporting Forensic Analysis Of Microstamping
3D Confocal Microscopy Used To Extract MultiHit Cartridge Microstamped Code
Microstamping Team Uses Semiconductor Imaging Knowledge To Overcome Forensic Communtiy Concerns Over Multi-Hit Cartridge Legibility
Serial Number Restoration Kit Project
Microstamping Team Succssfully Uses Standard Forensic Serial Number Restoration Kit To Enhance Multi-Hit Microstamped Cartridges
Microstamp of the Month
Head Stamp Area (.40 Cal S&W)
Semiautomatic Of The Month
Glock 19
MICROSTAMPING MICROSCOPY - TOOLS OF THE TRADE
This slide provides an example of how chosing the best method of imaging greatly effects the outcome of the analysis
UC Davis Chancellor Letter of Apology
When asked why we exposed ourselves to this project? Simple answer is that it was a project request from a graduate student for their Masters Degree and was not a study commissioned by the California legislature. It actually generated very good data on the potential of retrofitting firearms, an area we had never considered (And do not support) until the UC Davis group initiated this project. All of the tested firearms ranged in age to nearly >50 years old. Where our interest was peaked is the testing of a variety of automatic rifles. The original California DOJ comprehensive study that was developed had an original budget request of nearly $208,000, the UC Davis graduate student was only given ~$6,000 for the microstamping portion and in the end the department head asked for us to cut that by 50%.
Page 2 - UC Davis Chancellor's Letter
ATF DATA
Circa 2007 - LAPD Test S&W 4006 - Generation 2
S&W4006 - 2501th Cartridge (>2500 Round Test)
Circa 2004 / Generation 1 Firing Pin
Glock 19 - 1100th Cartridge (1400 Round Test) Images By Luccian Haag (National Academy of Sciences Presentation)
